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1342 tempera painting by Ambrogio Lorenzetti titled The Presentation in the Temple. Uffizi Gallery/Public Domain

Mar 5 Blog

Mary, Simeon or Anna: Who First Recognized Jesus as Messiah?

By: Ben Witherington III

Who was the first person to truly recognize Jesus as the messiah and understand the implications? Biblical scholar Ben Witherington III takes a close look at the account given in Luke, and sheds some light on what the Biblical narrative has to say about who was the first to recognize Jesus as the messiah.

Late-15th-century painting of The Last Supper by the Spanish artist known as the Master of Perea.

Nov 2 Blog

Was Jesus’ Last Supper a Seder?

By: Jonathan Klawans

Many assume that Jesus' Last Supper was a Seder, the ritual Passover meal. Examine evidence from the synoptic Gospels with scholar Jonathan Klawans.

Oct 25 Blog

Rachel and Leah in the Bible

By: Megan Sauter

Who are Rachel and Leah in the Bible? Sisters, rivals, mothers, matriarchs—these two women had a complicated relationship. In the Fall 2022 issue of Biblical Archaeology […]

The Temple menorah depicted in a deeply carved relief panel from the Arch of Titus in Rome. Photo: Courtesy Steven Fine, The Arch of Titus Project

Sep 16 Blog

Where Did the Temple Menorah Go?

By: Marek Dospěl

There is little doubt that the Temple Menorah was taken to Rome after the destruction of Jerusalem. However, Rome was sacked, and the Temple Menorah was looted. After disaster befell the cities that housed it as a spoil of war, was it returned to Jerusalem?

Jul 24 Blog

Anna in the Bible

By: Robin Gallaher Branch

Anna is one of the Bible’s most unusual women. Introduced at the end of the Birth Narrative (Luke 1:1-2:40), Anna concludes the sextet of named, pious Israelites surrounding the miraculous births of John and Jesus.

May 14 Blog

The Virgin Mary and the Prophet Muhammad

By: Mary Joan Winn Leith

The Virgin Mary and the prophet Muhammad have a lot in common within their respective Christian and Islamic traditions, according to author Mary Joan Winn Leith.

Feb 13 Blog

What Does the Bible Say About Children—and What Does Archaeology Say?

By: Megan Sauter

What was it like to be a child in the ancient Near East? What role did they play in the household?

Feb 1 Blog

Judith: A Remarkable Heroine, Part 2

By: Robin Gallaher Branch

This article continues Robin Gallaher Branch's earlier post discussing the character Judith, the remarkable heroine of the book bearing her name.

Oct 27 Blog

Is the Earliest Image of the Virgin Mary in the Dura-Europos Church?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

In the oldest known Christian church, located at the site of Dura-Europos in eastern Syria, a wall painting depicts a woman leaning over a well. […]

Sep 28 Blog

Second Temple Period Discoveries at Biblical Hebron

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Biblical Hebron, mentioned nearly 100 times in the Hebrew Bible, was a significant ancient city. Recent excavations have uncovered the town from the Second Temple period. Who lived here? Jewish, Edomite or pagan residents?

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